NHL

Blackhawks, Czech F Chalupa agree to 2-year contractCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a two-year contract with Czech forward Matej Chalupa.The team announced the deal on Friday. It begins with the 2020-21 season and carries an average annual value of $925,000.The 21-year-old Chalupa spent most of...

AP Hockey WriterEichel let's loose: Sabres captain `fed up' with losingBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres captain Jack Eichel kept his frustrations in check for the first 14 minutes of an end-of-season interview session with Buffalo-area reporters Thursday.It wasn't until he was asked to assess the future of...

AP Hockey WriterNHL awards regular-season trophies for season cut shortBy STEPHEN WHYNOSince the NHL is planning to go straight to the playoffs, it's handing out a handful of trophies for the regular season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.Not long after unveiling a 24-team right to the playoffs format,...

AP Hockey WriterYzerman-led Red Wings sticking to long-term plan to rebuildBy LARRY LAGEDetroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is sticking to his rebuilding plan, which includes not making a coaching change or attempting to pull off a splash in free agency.Yzerman is not interested in short-term fixes such...

AP Sports WriterSharks have plenty of time to stew over down seasonBy JOSH DUBOWThe San Jose Sharks will have plenty of time to stew over the franchise’s worst season in 17 years.With more than three-quarters of the league hoping to return for an expanded playoffs this summer following the...

AP Sports WriterLA Kings hope late-season surge indicates brighter futureBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Kings were the NHL's hottest team before the coronavirus pandemic ended the regular season prematurely. They're hoping they can eventually build on that success whenever they get back on the ice.The...

Hurricanes agree to arena lease extension through July 2029RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes have reached a five-year lease extension to remain in PNC Arena through July 2029.Arena owner Centennial Authority and Hurricanes parent company Gale Force Sports and Entertainment announced the agreement Thursday. The current lease agreement...

AP Hockey WriterEichel lets loose: Sabres captain `fed up' with losingBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Sabres captain Jack Eichel kept his frustrations in check for the first 14 minutes of an end-of-season interview session with Buffalo-area reporters Thursday.It wasn't until he was asked to assess the future of...

AP Hockey WriterNHL monitoring situation before choosing where to play gamesBy STEPHEN WHYNOConcerns about Canadian coronavirus restrictions could push hockey south of the 49th parallel into the U.S. this summer.Seven of the 10 locations the NHL has zeroed in on to hold playoff games if it resumes are American...

AP Hockey WriterSteve Yzerman says Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill keeping jobBy LARRY LAGEDetroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is keeping coach Jeff Blashill despite another lackluster season.Yzerman told reporters on Wednesday his previously announced plans to keep Blashill behind the bench have not changed. Blashill's record over...

AP Hockey WriterNHL monitoring situation before choosing where to play gamesBy STEPHEN WHYNOConcerns about Canadian coronavirus restrictions could push hockey south of the 49th parallel into the U.S. this summer.Seven of the 10 locations the NHL has zeroed in on to hold playoff games if it resumes are American...

AP Hockey WriterCriticism doesn't alter Sabres GM's plan to build with youthBy JOHN WAWROWBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Jason Botterill is very much aware of the criticism he’s attracted overseeing a Buffalo Sabres team that extended its playoff drought to nine years by failing to even qualify for the NHL’s...